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Emmaus creates home for ten vulnerable people 

Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney can now offer a home to more vulnerable people thanks to the creation of ten new bedrooms at its community in Ditchingham, South Norfolk.

The build of ten new bedrooms includes a female-friendly area with private toilet facilities, designed to help women who are homeless or insecurely housed in Norfolk. Many women facing homelessness have experienced physical or sexual abuse so female only facilities are an essential resource.
 
Beccles kitchen company, Creative Interiors by Design, donated two kitchens for the new accommodation area. One of the kitchens has been fitted in a communal area while the second has gone into a staff area for the live-in support workers to use.
 
Located on the former site of the All Hallows Community Convent in Ditchingham, Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney first opened its doors to companions, the name given to those living within an Emmaus community, in 2011.
 
The increase in capacity means the charity can now support 32 formerly homeless people, giving them the opportunity to rebuild their lives in a stable environment, with a reason to get out of bed in the morning through meaningful work.
 
Cecile Roberts, Director of Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, said: “The creation of ten new bedrooms means we can offer a way out of homelessness to even more people here in Norfolk. Along with giving people a home for as long as they need it, these rooms also mean we can provide more people with the opportunity to work and learn new skills through our social enterprise businesses.
 
“We’ve been providing homes and work to homeless people for nine years, and our experience has shown us that there is a real need for female only facilities, giving homeless women somewhere to live where they feel completely safe.”
 
According to a report published by housing charity Shelter in December 2018, there were an estimated 601 homeless people in Norfolk with the majority living in temporary accommodation and 49 sleeping on the streets. Across the east of England, one in 306 people were homeless – the third-highest rate of England’s nine regions.
 
Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney secured grants from Shelroy Charitable Trust, Caritas Alive in Faith, Clothworkers, The Public Interest Foundation, The RC Snelling Charitable Trust, Screwfix and Emmaus UK to fund this expansion and refurbishment.
 
Picture courtesy of Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney.
 
emmaus.org.uk/norfolk-waveney
 

Keith Morris, 30/12/2020

Keith Morris
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